Elfstrom Engineering
Healthy homes and buildings for your changing energy future
Tiffany Otis & Christoph Reinhart of Harvard have published a presentation-document “Daylighting rules of thumb: A design Sequence for Diffuse Daylighting” (PDF). Really, it’s more than just rules of thumb. There’s geometric calculations and multiple steps. This is a great way to start off a building design with daylighting in mind.
One Response
Grant Grable
15|Apr|2009 1I find it interesting that Harvard did not realize the opportunity available, even in overcast sky conditions, by utilizing top lighting with skylights for their simulations. Horizontal glazings, even in overcast skies, provide 3 times the amount of light per square foot of penetration into the space. People assume that overcast skies have very little light available for daylighting. If you are ever curious, take a foot candle meter outside on an overcast sky or the shade of a tree and watch yourself being immersed in well over 1,000 FC or 10,000 LUX of glare free natural light. Even high end retail only needs approximately 75 – 100 FC (750-1000 LUX). The environmental impact and reduction of energy through daylighting should almost become a mandatory solution. Afterall… there’s no greater efficiency than off!
Leave a reply